While a preseason game in the ECHL might not rank as high on the pressure scale as a Frozen Four appearance, Madore sure impressed his new teammates with the Florida Everblades on Saturday night. Madore stopped 23 of 24 shots as the Everblades drilled their new rivals from Orlando, 5-1.

"He was phenomenal," Everblades veteran forward Matt Marquardt said. "He's not too big but he plays very big and he's very, very fast. He doesn't quit on any battles. He really takes it upon himself to be the best goalie every night. I haven't known him a long time but you can tell even in practice, he battles for every inch on any pucks. Those are the types of goalies that will win you games."

Madore, who as a freshman in 2009 helped Vermont reach the Frozen Four for just the second time in school history, joined the Blades on Friday after being sent down by the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. It didn't take him long to make a strong first impression.

"It was a good game, it's preseason so guys are still feeling each other out a little bit," Madore said. "But we've got a pretty deep team, a lot of really good skill guys, good character guys and everyone kind of came together tonight and played even better than last night (a 6-3 Blades win)."

Marquardt did his part with a pair of goals, including a short-handed tally in the third period. He also easily won one of several fights in the game, as both teams seem to be developing quite a rivalry already.

"Anytime you have a rival that is that close to you, it's bound to happen," Everblades coach Greg Poss said. "We're happy to have a day trip and have these types of intense games. It's good for us, it's good for the fans and good for the teams. Players know if they're not ready it could be dangerous."

Former Everblade standout Kevin Baker is now a member of the Solar Bears and was a healthy scratch in each contest. He said a lot of the fighting and aggressiveness came from young players eager to make the squad.

"It was chippy but it's an exhibition, and it's guys are trying to make the team and guys that might not be here," Baker said. "It's one of those things where it's mostly trying to get systems and guys playing with each other. The real thing starts next week."

The Blades didn't trail in either exhibition contest with the Solar Bears. Florida sprinted out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and held a 17-6 edge in shots during that opening period. Poss felt the team let down defensively a bit in the second period, but they still maintained a 3-1 lead at the second intermission.

"The first period was good but we got a little sloppy in the second," Poss said. "We turned the puck over too many times and tried to do too much individually. We got better in the third period, but we have to learn from those mistakes."

The teams go at it for real Friday night, when the Everblades will raise the Kelly Cup championship banner against the Solar Bears at 7:30 p.m.